Passing
Two reunited women navigate desire, jealousy, and racial identity beneath the polished surface of 1920s Harlem society.
Overview
Two childhood friends navigate the complexities of race and identity in a divided society.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- elegant
- restrained
- disquieting
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Rebecca Hall's assured visual direction and the deeply internalized performances of Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga, while some found the restrained pacing inert.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Clare presents herself as white while married to a man who openly expresses racist beliefs.
The black-and-white cinematography, negative space, and controlled framing reflect Irene and Clare's internal struggles.
Clare's ability to pass contrasts with Irene's openly Black domestic and social life in Harlem.
John Bellew's ignorance of Clare's identity creates sustained dramatic irony in domestic and social encounters.
Films like Passing, and why
The Age of Innocence
shared period drama, racial identity, social performance, and restrained psychological tension
The White Ribbon
shared black-and-white visual design, intimate social scrutiny, and themes of belonging and exclusion
The House of Mirth
shared literary adaptation, suffocating social conventions, female psychological conflict, and elegant formal control
The Human Stain
shared historical racial politics, identity concealment, and emotionally charged interpersonal drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Rebecca Hall
- Release Date
- 2021-10-27
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (352)
Cast
- Tessa Thompson
- Ruth Negga
- André Holland
- Alexander Skarsgård
- Bill Camp
- Gbenga Akinnagbe
- Antoinette Crowe-Legacy
- Justus Davis Graham
- Ethan Barrett
- Ashley Ware Jenkins
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Passing about?
- Two reunited women navigate desire, jealousy, and racial identity beneath the polished surface of 1920s Harlem society.
- What is Passing like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Passing as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Passing violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Passing as mild.
- What did critics think of Passing?
- Critics broadly praised Rebecca Hall's assured visual direction and the deeply internalized performances of Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga, while some found the restrained pacing inert.
- Which films are like Passing?
- Films with a similar feel include The Age of Innocence, The White Ribbon, The House of Mirth, and The Human Stain.
- How long is Passing?
- Passing runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Passing?
- In United States, Passing streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
